KBIS2017 Part III-Exploring Surfaces

This is Part III of my KBIS2017 recap.  You can find Part I  here and Part II here

Ok where were we?  Ah yes, I believe I promised you something to do with rhino poop and a surprise inside the shower.  In Part III, the final installment of my Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS2017)  recap, I’m going to deliver just that as I share with you two really cool surface manufacturers  that are game changers in the world of design.  The first is from the tradition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Mohawk Flooring, known largely for their carpet, actually manufactures a wide variety of products including tile, hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl.  The star of their show this year was SmartStrand Silk Reserve carpet which MUST be felt to be believed. The story is not only about the ultimate in comfort and beauty, but also unbelievable cleanability.  

To test this new generation of carpeting they had a rhino, yes a rhinoceros, live on it for two weeks! That includes peeing, pooping and God knows what.  This experiment compared SmartStrand Silk Reserve to other leading carpets.  The results were impressive. With the Pet Protection Warranty there’s never any worry about a little occasional cat puke. Here’s a little video so you know I’m not lying.

Not only did SmartStrand Silk Reserve stand up to the rhino test, it was also a welcome respite for the tired feet of 24 or so bloggers and social media influencers.  We got to enjoy the silky soft  experience at the Ritz, no less. It’s really really soft!

Since we’re talking about cleaning, let’s move on the the shower.  That’s where Wilsonart comes in.  Wilsonart is a leader in engineered surfaces such as laminates, quartz, solid surfaces and even interesting wall paneling which is a look that has been so popular.

I love how they are always coming up with something new that is so relevant and on trend.  One such item is Wilsonart VDL Artfully Repurposed Woods (above left).  Yes these are laminates, no splinters here, soft as a baby’s butt (well nearly).  I digress. Let’s get back to the shower on show at KBIS2017.  This seamless laminate shower wall (below)  is easy to clean with no grout lines and they assure me it’s water friendly.  I also love the sleek contemporary look.

Wilsonart is also offering their own brand of quartz.  I often have clients who seek a pristine white counter top.  This one (Niwa Q1002) certainly fits the bill.   Quartz is a very popular choice these days because of it's durability and stain resistance. Check out their website here for more on the wide variety of products you can find at Wilsonart.

There you have it!  Thank you so much to Modenus and all the sponsors of BlogTour KBIS.  It’s such a treat to have access to all this in depth knowledge that I can share with you.  All editorial content is entirely my own opinions and perspectives.

KBIS 2017 Countdown- Newest in Kitchen and Bath Design

I don’t know about you (actually I might) but I’m ready for a fresh new start so I’m welcoming 2017 with open arms.  I’m excited about all the new adventures in store. First up is the always inspiring and exciting Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

This year KBIS takes place in Orlando, Florida and will host 500+ leading brands in the kitchen and bath industry, including over 100 NEW companies.  Once again I am proud to be one of 24 design bloggers and social media influencers included in the Modenus Blog tour.  Modenus, in case you don’t know, is all about design connections.  Through their website and blog tours Modenus  connects design pros, brands, media and savvy homeowners.

You can follow along as we provide “real time” coverage on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook.  Just follow the hashtag #BlogTourKBIS

You can find me here on Instagram, Twitter and  Facebook.  Follow me if you haven't already.  This is a great way to find the perfect products and design details if you're thinking of a new kitchen or bath in the new year.

KBIS is where I source the latest industry designs, products and technology and bring them to my readers and clients. This trade show is a part of Design & Construction Week and takes place from January 10th -January 12fth at the Orange County Convention Center.  The Modenus Blog Tour is an all expense paid trip however I retain control over all editorial content. I only recommend products or services I  believe will be good for my readers and clients.

Wood-Mode and Top Knobs, Makings of a Dream Kitchen

If you've spent any time researching cabinets for your new kitchen or bath you've probably come across then name Wood-Mode. It's the nation’s largest manufacturer of custom cabinetry for kitchens, baths and other rooms throughout the home and they've been around for 42 years.  I learned that Wood-Mode has great name recognition in the industry for good reason.  Their booth at KBIS was impressive and fun!  Four yellow Lab pups were on hand to demonstrate  one of their  lifestyle concepts, The Pet Parlor.There's a place for everything from food storage, food bowls, bathing and more.  Great idea, yes? To highlight it Wood-Mode had the most interesting gig going at the show.  For all selfies posted with the dogs they donated $5 to the Susquehanna Service Dogs.  This will be an ongoing partnership.  They call it a PAWSitive partnership. You can read more about it here. Wood-Mode's newest lifestyle concept, Oceanside,  is right after my own heart.  This coastal style is a modern fresh mix of contemporary and transitional.  The subtle aqua and sandy shades of beige are on point. The Oceanside approach includes a very open plan with efficient hidden storage.  I see this as a reflection of the trends I saw in Italy last year, fewer or no upper cabinets but high function tall cabinets instead.  The combination of materials and finishes add lots of visual interest.With over 200 doors to choose from as well as furniture finishing techniques and options for built-in storage, Wood-Mode can create the perfect solution for your lifestyle, whether is be Coastal, pet-perfect or both! If you're going to be needing cabinets, you're also going to need to get into them.  That's where Top Knobs comes in.  Another brand with great name recognition, TopKnobs specializes in fine decorative hardware for the kitchen and bath.  You can tell the quality of a cabinet knob or handle by the weighty feel of it and I have always noticed that about TopKnobs products. The other important thing the finish which they guarantee for life!They introduced the Transcend Collection at KBIS.  This includes the Podium, Ascendra and Contour Series which come in Brushed Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Sable and Umbrio.Also new at the show was Aspen II in three finishes, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel and Brushed Satin Nickel.  “The Aspen II collection combines old-world shape and style with contemporary finishes,” states Christine Zimmer, product manager for Top Knobs. “They bring to the market a unique look that designers can use in transitional spaces. Made with solid castings of artisan grade bronze, you can feel the quality of Aspen II in the palm of your hand.”With Wood-Mode and Top Knobs your dream kitchen can come to life!  

Honor Mother Nature with Style at TOTO

"People First Innovation" is the guiding principle behind Toto, the world’s largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings. TOTO is an un paralleled luxury brand creating beautiful and functional fixtures for the bath.  What really impresses me is that at the same time the are heavily focused on water conservation, a leading global concern that needs more attention here in the US. In 1989, in response to the state’s dramatic drought conditions and the growing need for water conservation, TOTO USA was established in California.  Today they operate three manufacturing facilities in the US. I was amazed to know that 80% of all toilets on the Las Vegas strip are, you guessed it, TOTO! The brand first started nearly one hundred years ago in Japan.  Today there is still a zen aesthetic to both the design and experience of the product. The Washlet is a must have in my opinion.  There are lots of choices to make when creating a new bathroom.  A few judiciously selected "special items" can make your bathroom awesome and this is one I'd pick.  TOTO reinvented the toilet seat by creating the Washlet, which gives people a new way to be cleaner and more comfortable every day. Washlet seats can be installed on virtually any toilet and use pure, clean water –along with several TOTO technologies – to make their users cleaner and more refreshed. Ok we're taking personalization to a new level here but you must admit... In case you're wondering, there are many public restrooms you can visit and see for yourself.  Here's where they are.  If you do, get back to me.  It would make a great blogpost ;) Speaking of blog posts,  I also found this great post by engadget.com A Westerner's Guide to Japanese Toilets .In addition to this, TOTO uses a lot of technology designed to preserve both the environment as well as your water and energy bill.  This even includes something called SanaGloss. TOTO’s patented, super smooth glaze that repels visible and invisible waste, making it difficult to adhere to porcelain.  I'm all for less toilet cleaning!Accessible design and real showers were a part of TOTO's interactive booth at KBIS2015!   Up next:  The other item not to be missed for your bath, Mr. Steam!  You can easily plan it into your bathroom renovation.

Getting Personal with Thermador

The Kitchen & Bath Industry show (KBIS) is like Christmas morning for a designer, full of excitement and new discoveries.  That's exactly what my experience was like this year as a member of  the Modenus Blog Tour.  Not only that, I also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with some truly awesome designers, the rock stars of our industry.  Before we get to that, on Monday our group visited the Las Vegas Market located in the World Market Center, also the location of Modenus Talks, a meeting of the minds where the topic of the day was: The Power of Great Design - Improving Well Being at Work and at Home.So awesome to think that the way we design our homes and work spaces impacts our health and well being, including mental health!  Combine this with personalization, a significant trend across brands, and you have a winning recipe for client and designer.Personalization means  more options and choices to suit your individual needs.  One example of this is the innovation at  Thermador.  Zach Elkin, Director Luxury Division at Thermador, spoke about how the brand embraces the culinary enthusiast.This year, at KBIS, they introduced a new 30” professional style range with innovative features that provide more design possibilities.  Sister company Bosch also introduced a line of smaller appliances proving that very good things come in small packages Another big healthy trend is steam cooking.  Trust me, you are going to be seeing much more of this.  You can cook ANYTHING except popcorn in a steam oven and it comes out great, even pizza, crispy too!  Steam is not just for veggies anymore.I can't leave without telling you about Thermador's new Freedom Induction Range, the first full-surface induction appliance in the luxury appliance category.  That means that there are no "burners", in fact the whole thing is one big "burner"!  It has sensory technology that "just knows" ;) Next up:  The Perfect Party Mix: Blanco & Poggenpohl

Blanco Makes a Splash!

For the last few years I have been honored to be a member of the Blanco Design Council.  This means I’m on the main line when it comes to inside information about their products. BLANCO, of course, is the German manufacturer of finely crafted sinks and faucets.  Their SILGRANIT II sinks are a particular favorite of mine and you should definitely know about them if you’re considering a kitchen remodel.  If you don’t know about SILGRANIT II, see my previous post here.   As a kick off to KBIS2013,  I got to see the newest BLANCO happenings  in New Orleans with a Cajun-styled experience called The Kitchen Unmasked.  This joint venture featuring Blanco, Poggenpohl and Silestone was held at the beautiful Nordic Kitchens showroom and was one of our stops on the Modenus Blog Tour.

The latest SILGRANIT II color, Cinder, is all the rage.  It’s a stormy striking combo of dark gray with some black and rich brown thrown into the mix.  I think it’s the perfect color to go with all the new luscious shades of gray we’re seeing.  It’s on trend yet neutral at the same time. The new SILGRANIT II series of sinks also includes HYGIENIC+PLUS^™ a patented formula that acts as a shield against dirt and bacteria. Independent laboratory tests confirm that the unique built-in hygiene protection reduces bacterial growth by an average of 98%.My favorite addition to the SILGRANIT II collection is the Modex sink (at top).  The next kitchen I design for myself (hoping) will have this sink.  I love it.  It adds a bit of architecture to the kitchen!  Modex features a unique 3” profile that sits on the counter and includes a large integrated cutting board.  It’s not just a sink, but a workstation.Speaking of work, did you know your faucet is the most abused item in your kitchen?  BLANCO's well known German engineering ensures that you have a product that will stand up to the test.  BLANCO also launched a new line of water saving faucets including Grace II, Alta, Highland and Napa. “Our latest collection of faucets offer livable style,” stated Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “When we say livable style, we are referencing style that leads trends while integrating into any kitchen design. At the same time, we are talking about the faucets’ functionality. We engineer BLANCO faucets to last, to use less water, to provide unmatched cleaning and to be as easy to use as they are to maintain.” I’ve had a blast telling you about all the products I learned about on the Modenus Blog Tour.  A big thank you to Veronika Miller and her team at Modenus as well as all the fabulous sponsors including Blanco, Poggenpohl, Cosentino, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2013, Mr. Steam, TOTO and Du Verre Hardware.   It truly was a most memorable and enjoyable experience to see New Orleans in this way.  To me, the best part of all was the people, both meeting the sweet good- natured, perservering locals as well as enjoying the community of those who I’m honored to call my peers.  I hope you’ve enjoyed following along and have learned a thing or two in the process that will help you know what to look for when shopping for kitchen and bath products. Click here to see ALL my photos and commentary from Blog Tour NOLA!